Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-05-06
EVAPORATED.
R. Porter Ashe Quietly Obtains
Possession of Alma.

Possession OF Alma.
The contest between Mr.. and Mrs. h.
Porter Ashe for the possession of their
daughter Alma A. Ashe, ended yester'
day without the disclosure OF any family
skeleton or the qualification of those who
are inclined toward sensational!sm. 1t
was almost certain on Wednesday night
that a conclusion had been reached to
DISPOSE of the child without any pro.
traeted or interesting proceedings, but
it was uncertain MS to who was to have
possession of her. The truth OF these
conf ctures came to the surface yester-
day morning, shortly after half past 10
o'clock. As usual In cases where some
sensational development is expected, the
courtroom was crowded TO its utmost
capacity. After preliminary case had
been disposed of, Judge Gardner asked
if the parties to the habeas corpus
case were ready to proceed. At this
moment Sheriff Kays appeared with the
child and it's nurse, followed by its
grandmother The attorneys for both
sides answered that they were ready to
proceed, aud Colonel Bishop, on behalf
OF petitioner, Mrs. Ashe. said that lie
desired to state that hiAclient wished to
have the matter dismissed, and he
asked the Court to make such an order.
Judge Gardner inquired if the matter
had been agreed to by both parties, and
Mr.. Del Vale, attorney for r. Porter
Ashe, replied that his client assented to
such disposal of the case.
Judge Terry said that If the matter
were dismissed it would mean that the
father would take possession OF the
child.
Judge Gardner asked if the opposing
side understood the matter to rest that
way, aud Colonel Bishop replied that he
did He had no objection, and his
client consented.
Judge Gardner then instructed the
Clerk 10 make the following order, and
adjourned the Court:
This matter having been continued FER
hearing until this day the parties appear
by counsel and upon motion, each party
agreeing thereto. tits ordered that these
proceedings be and they are hereby dis
missed and the child returned to the
custody of the father
AS SDOu as tuls OioVl OVSh hfhuS
Sheriff Kays handed little Alma over to
r. Porter Ashe, who in company with
Mrs e. r. Croker and the nurse was
driven to the St. Elmo. 1t was notable
that Mrs. Ashe did not appear in the
courtroom, but short time afterwards
Mrs. Crocker, the nurse and the child
were driven to Mrs Crocker's residence,
where the child remained until evening,
when she was sent to the st. Elmo in
charge of the nurse and at 7:30 Mr..
Ashe, his two brothers, the nurse and
little Alma took the train for the North.
The fact that the matter was settled
80 quietly, when il was expected that
great deal of preparation had
been made for hard light
caused many rumors and much
comment. In fact 1t was general sub
iect of conversation that q compromise
had been effected, wherein money con.
sideration had been rendered and accept.
ed, and the general belief on the street
was that Mr.. Ashes possession of the
child is but temporary and that at
time not far distant, little Alma will be
placed in the Lands of Mrs. Croker to
rear and educate. OF course there was
no way of getting at the basis of the
compromise or agreement, as the attor-
neys IN the case were as reticent as they
had been the night before. MIR. Ashe
was seen yesterday afternoon and he
stated that he was going to take Alma to
his mothers at Merced, and as yet he
had not determined what he would do
with her. AT present his intention was
to keep her there.
The future disposition of Alma will
prove or disprove the assertions that
there was monetary consideration at.
tache d to the matter, but at present the
matter must rest, surrounded with an air
of mystery.